2007.11.18: November 18, 2007: Headlines: COS - Mali: Portsmouth Herald News: When Benjamin Hatch is asked about the people of Mali, he tells the story of asking for directions in the West African nation where he is a Peace Corps volunteer

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Mali: Peace Corps Mali : Peace Corps Mali: Newest Stories: 2007.11.18: November 18, 2007: Headlines: COS - Mali: Portsmouth Herald News: When Benjamin Hatch is asked about the people of Mali, he tells the story of asking for directions in the West African nation where he is a Peace Corps volunteer

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-122-23.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.122.23) on Saturday, December 08, 2007 - 7:16 pm: Edit Post

When Benjamin Hatch is asked about the people of Mali, he tells the story of asking for directions in the West African nation where he is a Peace Corps volunteer

When Benjamin Hatch is asked about the people of Mali, he tells the story of asking for directions in the West African nation where he is a Peace Corps volunteer

"Rather than just tapping someone on the shoulder and asking them, which would be considered very rude, you must first introduce yourself, ask how they are, how their immediate family is, how their extended family is," he said in an interview by e-mail. "Then when you finally get around to asking the question, they are more likely to take you by the hand and walk you to the bus station, however far out of their way it may be, rather than simply give you directions." But, he added, "Nothing is expected in return. This is just how you treat people." That is why, after a few months in the country, Hatch explained that "living in Mali has pretty much been what I expected, only amplified." "I was told the Malians were friendly, but they have been much more than that."

When Benjamin Hatch is asked about the people of Mali, he tells the story of asking for directions in the West African nation where he is a Peace Corps volunteer

Mainer in Mali making difference in Peace Corps

NYU grad tackles preventive care in West African nation

Caption: Benjamin Hatch and his hosts in Mali, the Troure family.

By Rachel M. Collins
news@seacoastonline.com

November 18, 2007 6:00 AM

When Benjamin Hatch is asked about the people of Mali, he tells the story of asking for directions in the West African nation where he is a Peace Corps volunteer.

That is because Hatch, who is from York, Maine, has been struck by how — in a place considered to be one of the poorest nations in the world — people routinely take the time to help others. And how they give directions is a prime example.

"Rather than just tapping someone on the shoulder and asking them, which would be considered very rude, you must first introduce yourself, ask how they are, how their immediate family is, how their extended family is," he said in an interview by e-mail.

"Then when you finally get around to asking the question, they are more likely to take you by the hand and walk you to the bus station, however far out of their way it may be, rather than simply give you directions."

But, he added, "Nothing is expected in return. This is just how you treat people."

That is why, after a few months in the country, Hatch explained that "living in Mali has pretty much been what I expected, only amplified."

"I was told the Malians were friendly, but they have been much more than that."

Armed with a history degree and sense of adventure, Hatch knew — at age 23, and before he committed to a doctoral program in neuroscience — now would be the best time to join the Peace Corps.

"I knew that just after graduating was the best time to do something like this, as I did not have any particular plans or commitments," said Hatch, who received his degree from New York University in New York City.

The other impetus was that he wanted to make a commitment to help others.

And though he admitted "there are many opportunities to do that a lot closer to home," he said what led him specifically to the Peace Corps is his sense of adventure.

"I've always wanted to go to Africa and knew that with my minor in French the chances were reasonably good that if the Peace Corps sent me anywhere, it would be West Africa," Hatch said.

Apparently, he was right. After Hatch was accepted into the program, he was sent to Mali in July.

There, Hatch began with a heavy dose of "language and culture training," he said.

After passing a preliminary exam — proving his proficiency in French — he began learning Bambara, the market-language spoken in most of Mali.

Hatch also learned the basics of "how to stay relatively healthy and relatively parasite-free while in Mali," where he admitted "periodic bouts with parasites are just part of life."

In September, Hatch was officially sworn in as the 82nd Mainer now serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. More than 1,610 Maine residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.

Volunteering is not new for Hatch. Most recently, he volunteered in New Orleans in January.

But the difference for the York High School graduate is that the Peace Corps required a two-year commitment.

Still, Hatch said he looks forward to his work in Mali, where he is joining 140 other Peace Corps volunteers "confronting imminent food shortages due to a rapidly growing population and frequent droughts," said Meghan Quill of the Peace Corps Boston Regional Office. "Volunteers strive to improve domestic food production, as well as find solutions to difficulties in water availability, environmental conservation and micro-enterprise development."

They also are providing education on preventive health care, which will be Hatch's role.

His primary job is to work with a community health center to teach nutrition to new mothers, as well as educate people about malaria prevention.

The United Nations ranks Mali as one of the poorest countries in the world.

That lack of resources accounts for malnutrition being the "outright or underlying cause of at least 90 percent of the infant mortality rate," Hatch said, which is about 106 deaths for every 1,000 live births.

Statistics show the degree of risk for malaria in Mali also is very high in some locations, as are "food, waterborne and water contact diseases."

"As a volunteer here in the Peace Corps, I understand that what I do must focus on skill transferal and habit forming or changing, as two years is not enough time to have a lot of immediate effect. In fact, we're told not to expect to see dramatic change during our service."

Yet he remains optimistic about the difference he can make.

"Since most of what I will be doing is basic knowledge, if I can teach others its importance, then they, in turn, will teach others. It then becomes bigger than my small amount of work here."

Work that will continue, for his part, for at least another two years.

"I plan on staying in Mali for my full 24 months of service," said Hatch, who turns 24 this month. "Following that, some people opt to change locations within Mali and stay another year. While I cannot yet say whether or not I will do that, I certainly haven't ruled it out as a possibility."




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: November, 2007; Peace Corps Mali; Directory of Mali RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Mali RPCVs





When this story was posted in December 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:


Contact PCOLBulletin BoardRegisterSearch PCOLWhat's New?

Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers RSS Feed
Dodd vows to filibuster Surveillance Act Date: October 27 2007 No: 1206 Dodd vows to filibuster Surveillance Act
Senator Chris Dodd vowed to filibuster the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that would grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that helped this administration violate the civil liberties of Americans. "It is time to say: No more. No more trampling on our Constitution. No more excusing those who violate the rule of law. These are fundamental, basic, eternal principles. They have been around, some of them, for as long as the Magna Carta. They are enduring. What they are not is temporary. And what we do not do in a time where our country is at risk is abandon them."

Peace Corps News Peace Corps Library Peace corps History RPCV Directory Sign Up

November 12, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Date: November 12 2007 No: 1210 November 12, 2007: This Month's Top Stories
Chris Dodd's service began with Peace Corps 9 Nov
Matthew McCue called back to Iraq from Peace Corps 9 Nov
Tschetter Visits Turkmenistan 9 Nov
Lara Weber writes: Oprah Winfrey's stumble 9 Nov
Heather Thompson works with P Diddy 7 Nov
Karen Hughes' public diplomacy came to nothing 4 Nov
James Rupert writes: Musharraf seizes power 3 Nov
Martin Puryear is Man of Mysteries 2 Nov
Sarah Chayes says Taliban score major victory 1 Nov
John Sullivan runs Sudan Divestment Task Force. 30 Oct
Tom Bissell writes: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 28 Oct
Chris Shays to seek 12th term 25 Oct
Helen Dudley can't stop giving 25 Oct
Joseph Acaba named to STS-119 Shuttle Crew 22 Oct
Vince Floriani in USA Today's All-USA Teacher Team 22 Oct
Kelly J. Morris writes "The Bight of Benin" 20 Oct
Charles Shelan was Buddhist monk Wondam’s teacher 19 Oct
Peace Corps returning to Liberia 18 Oct
David Peckham started Village Bicycle Project 16 Oct
Alberto Ibarguen announces grant for "Project Impunity" 15 Oct
Campbell Memorial Park boosts ecotourism 15 Oct
Bowers Family keep daughter's dream alive 15 Oct

What is the greatest threat facing us now?  Date: September 12 2007 No: 1195 What is the greatest threat facing us now?
"People will say it's terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing? I would approach this differently, in almost Marshall-like terms. What are the great opportunities out there - ones that we can take advantage of?" Read more.

Senator Dodd's Peace Corps Hearings Date: July 25 2007 No: 1178 Senator Dodd's Peace Corps Hearings
Read PCOL's executive summary of Senator Chris Dodd's hearings on July 25 on the Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act and why Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter does not believe the bill would contribute to an improved Peace Corps while four other RPCV witnesses do. Highlights of the hearings included Dodd's questioning of Tschetter on political meetings at Peace Corps Headquarters and the Inspector General's testimony on the re-opening of the Walter Poirier III investigation.

Paul Theroux: Peace Corps Writer Date: August 15 2007 No: 1185 Paul Theroux: Peace Corps Writer
Paul Theroux began by writing about the life he knew in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His first first three novels are set in Africa and two of his later novels recast his Peace Corps tour as fiction. Read about how Theroux involved himself with rebel politicians, was expelled from Malawi, and how the Peace Corps tried to ruin him financially in John Coyne's analysis and appreciation of one of the greatest American writers of his generation (who also happens to be an RPCV).

Ambassador revokes clearance for PC Director Date: June 27 2007 No: 1166 Ambassador revokes clearance for PC Director
A post made on PCOL from volunteers in Tanzania alleges that Ambassador Retzer has acted improperly in revoking the country clearance of Country Director Christine Djondo. A statement from Peace Corps' Press Office says that the Peace Corps strongly disagrees with the ambassador’s decision. On June 8 the White House announced that Retzer is being replaced as Ambassador. Latest: Senator Dodd has placed a hold on Mark Green's nomination to be Ambassador to Tanzania.

Suspect confesses in murder of PCV Date: April 27 2007 No: 1109 Suspect confesses in murder of PCV
Search parties in the Philippines discovered the body of Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell near Barangay Batad, Banaue town on April 17. Director Tschetter expressed his sorrow at learning the news. “Julia was a proud member of the Peace Corps family, and she contributed greatly to the lives of Filipino citizens in Donsol, Sorsogon, where she served,” he said. Latest: Suspect Juan Duntugan admits to killing Campbell. Leave your thoughts and condolences .

He served with honor Date: September 12 2006 No: 983 He served with honor
One year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor.


Read the stories and leave your comments.






Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Portsmouth Herald News

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Mali

PCOL39904
83


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: